Published 11:01 pm, Wednesday, September 25, 2013

The Houston Airport System proposed reconstruction to a taxiway, a main traffic artery for aircraft moving through terminals, ramps and runways. Airport officials say it is cracked and in need of repair.

The council vote approved a contract for Houston-based SpawGlass Civil Construction. The work is slated to begin Oct. 25 and should be completed in the next 18 months.

Construction will include widening the area so it can easily handle larger aircraft such as the Airbus A380 and meet Federal Aviation Administration standards, airport spokeswoman Darian Ward said. The project will also improve parts of the airport drainage system, which officials say is having age-related issues and in need of repair or replacement.

The taxiway is crucial to airport operations, so it will be reconstructed in sections to allow at least some parts to remain open continually.

During construction, the times between touchdown on the runway and deplaning at the gate will be a little longer, Ward said. When the work is complete, officials hope the construction will make the taxiway wider and safer.

District B Councilman Jerry Davis, who represents the area, voted for the project. He raised concerns during the meeting that no African-American companies or businesses from his district were on the project.

He said he would work with SpawGlass for this and future projects to not overlook workers from his district.

"Everyone needs a place at the table," Davis said. "We want to keep the money in the local economy."

Mayor Annise Parker said the city would work with Davis to get companies from District B certified to make such bids but that the city cannot specify which companies will be hired.